• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

National Robotics Challenge

By MarionMade! on March 30, 2017

Competitions at Veterans Coliseum
Competitions at Veterans Coliseum

The National Robotics Challenge (NRC) has been hosted in Marion, Ohio at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum on the Marion County Fairgrounds since 2004. Most recently in 2019, there were over 1200 participants from thirteen states and two countries coming to Marion to compete. The NRC uses the county’s strengths, like our amazing volunteers, sponsors, businesses, and especially the county’s students and educators, to showcase what is great in Marion.   They demonstrate the MarionMade! principal of “Love Where You Learn” to the world, making them a perfect 2020 Celebrate Marion honoree in the Programs category

This all began in 1986 with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge in Rochester, New York.  It was under the guidance and inspiration of Tom Meravi, Associate Professor from Northern Michigan University, and the late Dr. James Hannemann. Dr. Hannemann passed away suddenly in July 2001, and by 2003, it was announced that the organization was unable to continue sponsorship of the event.

Many thought that this was the end, but on the bus ride back from Rochester to Marion, Ed Goodwin, Ritch Ramey, and Tad Douce discussed the challenges of hosting but agreed Marion could support this event.  Since 2004, along with the name change to The National Robotics Challenge, the event has grown from the original two work cells and two pick and place competitions to a competition with twelve robotics contests.  It is one of the premier robotics and engineering events in the nation. With the sixteen years in Marion and nineteen prior, it has become is the longest continually operating robotics event in the world and the premier educational event for an open-platform robotics competition.

Events are filled with networking and fun
Events are filled with networking and fun

What makes this competition unique are a few factors.  First, there is no specific kit to buy.  The NRC believes that engineering is not just about taking the same parts as someone else and changing how they are put together.  Instead, they want participants to find the materials and equipment that is best for the problem they are given.

Next, the entry fees are low.  This allows the participants and schools to use their money to spend on the materials and equipment to build robots.  This also allows more to compete as the costs might be prohibitive otherwise.

Finally, The NRC contests are open to students in 6th grade through graduate school.  Students can continue with robotics as they move on, allowing them to network with their peers and also be inspired by those that are at the next level.  The competition levels are elementary, middle school, high school, and post-secondary, which includes community college, technical institute, and university undergraduate and graduate students.

The NRC is a competition, with students being judged on their application of technological principles and concepts, and their ability to solve difficult problems through a team approach. The judges come from businesses highly involved in the robotics world.  Teams are expected to act and dress professionally, showcasing their talents and their ability to be future potential workforce candidates.

Teams compete in a variety
Teams compete in a variety

They are judged also on their leadership and how they promote the robotics message in their own community.  There is an award specifically given the team/school who has demonstrated the greatest effort in promoting the National Robotics Challenge to their community and/or the world.

Though the completion had to be cancelled in 2020, due to the pandemic, it is scheduled again in Marion for 2021 on April 8-10.  The volunteer crew of Ed Goodwin, Tad Douce, Ralph Ramey, Eli Cochran, Mark Robinson, Jeff Branson, and Brad Pottkotter look future to working towards the NRC’s vision to become the premier robotics competition for elementary, middle, high and post-secondary school students around the globe.  The National Robotics Challenge, with all it does to showcase the skills and creativity of the robotics future through students’ hard work and highlighting our community to the world, deserves to be a 2020 Celebrate Marion honoree.

 

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Kit Fogle: Financial Advisor with Roots in Farming

    From farmer to financial advisor, Kit Fogle, CPFA, puts his business savvy and financial management experience to work for his clients in Marion and surrounding areas. Born and raised just north of LaRue in Grand Township in the western part of the county, Kit continues to operate the family’s grain farm which is now over […]Read More »
  • Stewart’s Root Beer Stand Celebrates 100th Year

    Despite the February chill, Stewart’s Root Beer Stand at 1036 North Main Street opened to a packed lot for its 100th season. “The root beer comes in an ice-cold mug. It’s even colder today!” said owner Michelle Whitaker with a smile. Just like the 1950s, car hops still bring the food right to your car […]Read More »
  • RV Wonders

    WONDER. Every school year, I begin by reading my students a book called “Wonder.” Wonder is about a little boy named Auggie Pullman who was born with a facial deformity that left him home schooled for most of his life. He and his parents decide to send him to a private school when he’s in […]Read More »
  • New Owner Continues Proud Marion Tradition

    Despite the pandemic, Ed Emerson was ready to bet on a Marion business. This veteran purchased Promo Costumes in Downtown Marion in September 2020 from long-time owners Lyn and Dan Giles. Emerson drives from his home in the Brewery District in Columbus to his enterprise on West Center Street. The unassuming storefront leads into a […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image